Thai Banpu to chip in to Vietnamese power sector

Accordingly, Banpu will survey the area and conduct research on the project within 24 months. Once the plant comes into stable operation, Banpu will implement the second phase’s construction with a capacity of 2,000MW.

According to Le Dinh Khanh, deputy director of the Thua Thien Hue’s Department of Planning and Investment, the province will provide preferential conditions for Banpu during the survey and research stages as well as the construction process.

“The MOU is an important opportunity for Banpu to increase its economic cooperation with Thua Thien Hue. Once the plant comes into operation, it will contribute to ensuring energy security for the entire central region,” said Akaraphong Dayananda, Banpu’s vice president and head of strategy and business development.

Another Thai firm, namely Ratch Co., Ltd. (Ratch) also plans to invest in Vietnamese power projects.

Ratch revealed investment plans for the 600MW Hai Phong 3 thermal power project at last week’s meeting with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

Hai Phong 3 thermal power plant is backed by state-run mining giant Vinacomin. Thus, MoIT Deputy Minister Hoang Quoc Vuong suggested that Ratch discuss investment issues directly with the corporation, while at the same time also seeking to co-operate with Thai EGAT International Company (EGATi) on the construction of Quang Tri thermal power plant in the central province of Quang Tri.

In June 2014, EGATi and the MoIT’s Department of Energy signed an MOU on the construction of Quang Tri thermal power plant with the total investment capital of $2.26 billion.

The 1,200 MW plant’s construction is divided into two phases under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) format and is expected to incrementally go on stream in June and December 2021, respectively.

As of now, EGATi has completed the pre-feasibility study, after which it can begin the BOT contract negotiations. The viability of the initially proposed construction date, currently slated for 2017, will depend heavily on the upcoming negotiation process.